Don't Trust Stan "Pampy" Barre Without Other Evidence

Contrary to what others may think, I wholeheartedly agree with Una Anderson's statement. It is irresponsible of the Times Picayune to run this story. Why would anyone take the word of Slimy Mac-P (aka Stan "Pampy" Barre). The feds should take a closer look at his family members if they want to really get the truth. Find out how he laundered the money. That would be an interesting story for the Times Picayune. I am not willing to conclude that Una Anderson is guilty of bribery. There would have to be hard core evidence against Mrs. Anderson for me to attack her. I am not willing to just accept the word of that filthy piece of trash known as Stan "Pampy" Barre (aka Slimy Mac-P)

With a clutch of supporters at her back, Orleans Parish School Board member Una Anderson angrily denied allegations that she and her husband accepted a bribe six years ago in exchange for helping steer a contract to two local garbage haulers.

Anderson called a news conference on Friday, after the Times-Picayune reported that former restaurateur and convicted felon Stan "Pampy" Barre told federal investigators that he delivered a bribe to Anderson through her husband, local banker Dave Anderson.

Jimmie Woods and Alvin Richard, the respective owners of Metro Disposal Inc. and Richard's Disposal Inc., the two trash-hauling companies that got the work, have said through their attorneys that no bribes were paid to anyone.

Una Anderson claimed that Barre made the allegation in an attempt to ingratiate himself with prosecutors and win some clemency when he is sentenced in January on fraud charges stemming from a crooked City Hall energy deal. Without a letter from the government attesting to his cooperation, he faces roughly nine years in prison.

"I am outraged that blatant lies by a convicted felon could be used to smear my long-standing record and reputation of integrity," Anderson said, her voice quaking as she read from prepared remarks.

She continued later, "I have never accepted anything from Stan Barre, and I certainly have never accepted a bribe, nor has my husband, from his wretched hands or anyone else's."

Anderson faces a runoff election in two weeks for the House District 95 seat, which represents Hollygrove, Carrollton and the Uptown university area. She said Friday that she intended to remain in the race against Walker Hines, a recent college graduate and the son of prominent attorney Bill Hines.

Among the crowd of supporters Anderson assembled for the news conference were three opponents she and Hines defeated in the primary election last month: Percy Marchand, John Parker and Marc Napoleon. All are Democrats.

"I am committed to continuing my campaign. I am committed to public service," Anderson said. "The people I serve and those who know me best understand that this is nothing more than an act of desperation by Stan Barre."

Throughout her speech, Anderson referred to the former restaurateur by his formal name, rather than by Pampy, his widely used familiar name. She said she knows him from political gatherings, but they are not friends. At various points, she called him a liar, a coward and a cheat.

"As an elected official, I can imagine no worse attack on my good name, sterling reputation and strong character than to be accused of taking a bribe," Anderson said. "It is a malicious attack that cannot and will not stand."

Her husband stood at her side during the news conference, looking ashen, and told reporters that the allegations had been "devastating" for the couple. He also revealed that Una Anderson is pregnant with a girl.

Anderson, 41, assailed the Times-Picayune for making the federal probe public. She called the publication of the story "irresponsible" and likened herself to Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter of "Annie Get Your Gun" fame who fought back against ugly tabloid allegations that were published about her during the last century.

She acknowledged that federal agents have interviewed her three times in recent months, but she claimed the agents have used her as a "trusted and reliable source" as they peered into possible misdeeds by other school board members. She confirmed that they asked her about the garbage contract during their third visit.

Anderson said the newspaper story failed to discriminate between the "facts," that federal investigators had interviewed her about Barre's allegations, and the "truth," that she had done nothing wrong.

"I have, without fail, been an honest, open source to fight corruption, and I will not -- I will not -- allow a corrupt, connected convict like Stan Barre to sully my spotless seven-year public career," she said.